2 posts from April 5, 2014

April 05, 2014

University of Miami fifth-year senior Ryan Williams, who was on course to be the starting quarterback in the fall, will undergo surgery early next week to repair what doctors believe is a torn anterior cruciate ligament, a person with knowledge of the situation first told the Miami Herald on Saturday.

The University of Miami later released a statement confirming the news The Herald broke.

Williams, 22, a Miramar High graduate from Pembroke Pines, injured his right knee while rolling out during a play in Friday night’s closed scrimmage at Greentree Field — minutes after throwing a 76-yard touchdown to Stacy Coley. UM said the injury did not occur with any contact.

The source told the Miami Herald that Williams was walking without crutches as of Saturday morning but was very stiff and getting the knee iced. It’s unknown whether Williams is out for the season. There is a possibility, depending on the results of his surgery and rehabilitation, that Williams could return to play, the source said.

Left at quarterback to pick up the pieces are second-team redshirt freshman Kevin Olsen and third-string sophomore Gray Crow. UM also has two scholarship quarterbacks arriving this summer: Brad Kaaya of West Hills (Calif.) Chaminade High and Malik Rosier of Faith Academy in Mobile, Ala.

Williams sat out at UM one year after transferring from Memphis, where he started 10 games as a freshman. He played sparingly the past two seasons behind now graduated starter Stephen Morris. In four games last season, Williams completed 68.8 percent of his passes (22 of 32) for 369 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.

UM has only two more practices next week before the spring game April 12 at Sun Life Stadium.

Get well soon, Ryan. He has surely paid his dues waiting with patience and class.

-- SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

*** So how do you feel about the Canes' QB situation? Here's how incoming freshman defensive end Demetrius Jackson feels about it.

KAAYA is the future for MIAMI at the quarterback position ... No doubt about that ..

"I had a good experience. I think I ran well – not sure of the time (4.79) but it felt good and I looked well, too.

"I want to play in the NFL, so I’m trying. I have good numbers and I feel if they saw what they needed to see from me I’ll have a shot and that’s all I really want."

What did you do well?

"The defensive back drill work was good. I felt good. I swiveled my hips well. I had good feet, movement and flexibility."

Can you believe your time is up and YOU were the one working out for scouts today?

"We were talking about today. When you’re younger and you come watch all the guys it feels so professional and you see all the teams and you think, ‘Wow, it’s the pros’ and everything is so serious. When you’re actually in it it feels like another day of practice because we do it so much."

DEFENSIVE END SHAYON GREEN (ONE ON ONE):

"I feel like I did great. Everybody came out and showed up and showed out. I felt good, my body is great. I felt like I ran fast and did great in the positional drills. All the coaches gave me nothing but positive feedback.

"I’m 6-1 and around 258 pounds. I lost 6 pounds. I got leaner."

Did it help being on your own field?

"Yeah, pretty much, even though the field is kind of beat up."

Did the day turn out as you had hoped?

"This day wasn’t what I expected. It was different actually doing it and not thinking about it – like my pro day is coming up and I have a lot of stress. It was pretty cool though. It came together well. Coach Swasey did a great job preparing us. This week is going to be big for me – next week. I’ll be at Miami Day (Dolphins). "

What is your dream team?

"I don’t have a dream team. I’d love to play for anyone, put it that way."

Where will you be for the NFL Draft?

"I don’t know. I’m thinking about either staying here or going home to my family."

"That’s the goal right now. Punting is one of those positions where you kind of have to wait and see if they have the picks and what team needs that position, so I’m just going to have to wait it out and see what teams need."